So I'm a sophomore in Saint Louis University and am on the rowing team. My team has just fundraised enough money to purchase a racing shell trailer. Now, these are usually custom built, so I'm confused on what could go wrong with them.
The trailer in question is a 1994 North County trailer that is approximately 36 feet long. Dual axles. Probably made of steel. Here are the photos I got from the seller. It is located in NY and we are in St. Louis, so there is no way for us to physically see the trailer.
What are things to look out for and to ask the seller? Do they come with titles or bills of sale? I'm guessing things like trailer wiring, brakes, and age of tires are good starts.The most I got from the MO DMV is that we have to register them and pay a fee every couple years.
The laws on trailers vary HUGELY from state to state on what's needed for brakes and lights.
A lot of what's required depends on the loaded weight, how ever let me say this. I've never towed a trailer that had brakes that I thought didn't need them. All trailers should have brakes. One thing they don't tell you is if your not required to have brakes in your state and travel out of your state and are involved in an accident your insurance company may not have to pay and you can get ticketed. This link is a good one but I do not know how old the info is.
http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf
NYS has titles for trailers.
You may get in touch with a rowing club near the trailer and have them put eyeballs on it, networking among likeminded individuals? Where in NY.?
The trailer is being sold by RowNY, a rowing club out of the city. The trailer is either at their Manhattan boathouse or their Queens boathouse as I see nowhere else they would be able to store it.
It is a good idea to have another rowing club check it out, so we will have to send out some emails. I don't have any rowing contacts in NY, and I'm sure no one on our team has any contacts out there either.
I'm still worried about trailer maintenance though. Usually, these trailers sit for weeks at a time and then go out on 500+ mile trips with maybe 1000 lbs worth of boats and equipment of them; I don't know if that counts as a harsh environment for trailers. What are things to watch out for with trailers in general?
Have a title and make sure rust won't be an issue. Trailers are simple to title in Missouri.
Wheel bearings are one problem area. This community has some members in the NYC area that may chime in.
SVreX
MegaDork
4/3/14 1:40 p.m.
MINIzguy wrote:
Usually, these trailers sit for weeks at a time and then go out on 500+ mile trips with maybe 1000 lbs worth of boats and equipment of them; I don't know if that counts as a harsh environment for trailers. What are things to watch out for with trailers in general?
That sounds pretty typical for most trailers.
Look for: Rust, working lights, working brakes on all 4 wheels, break away brake, no visible signs of damage. On a 36' trailer, you might also want an anti-sway device (which can be added).
Maintenance: Tire wear and/or flat spots, wheel bearings, and make sure the above stuff continues to work.
That's about it.
